Bill Vaughan
An optimist stays up until midnight to see the New Year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves.

Mark Twain
New Year’s Day… now is the accepted time to make your regular annual good resolutions. Next week you can begin paving hell with them as usual.

Jay Leno
Now there are more overweight people in America than average-weight people. So overweight people are now average… which means, you have met your New Year’s resolution.

P. J. O’Rourke
The proper behavior all through the holiday season is to be drunk. This drunkenness culminates on New Year’s Eve, when you get so drunk you kiss the person you’re married to.

The Gift of Affection…Be generous w/appropriate hugs, kisses, pats on the back.  Let these small actions demonstrate the love you have for family & friends.

The Gift of Laughter…Clip cartoons, share articles & stories.  Your gift will say, “I love to laugh w/you.”

The Gift of a Favor…Every day, go out of your way to do something kind.

The Gift of a Written Note…It can be a simple “Thanks for the help” note or a full sonnet.  A brief, handwritten note may be remembered for a lifetime.

The Gift of a Compliment…A simple & sincere, “You look great in red,”  ”You did a super job,” or “That was a wonderful meal” can make someone’s day.

Have a wonderful holiday!

 1. Realize you can’t buy happiness: Wealth is like health. Its utter absence breeds misery, but having it doesn’t guarantee happiness.
 2. Manage your time: Happy people feel in control of their lives, often aided by mastering their use of time. Set goals and break them into manageable tasks.
 3. Act happy: Going through the motions can trigger the emotions.
 4. Flow: Happy people are often in a zone called “flow”. They’re absorbed in a challenging, but not overwhelming task.

 5. Exercise: Sound minds reside in sound bodies.

 6. Sleep: Happy people allow their bodies to rest.

 7.Foster close relationships: Friends who care about you can help you weather difficult times. Don’t take them for granted.

 8. Be helpful: Doing good makes you feel good.

 9. Be grateful: Pause to think about what you have rather than what you don’t.

10. Nurture your spirit: Faith can provide a sense of purpose and hope. Studies find that actively religious people are happier and cope better with crises than non-religious people.

Minimalism advocate D.H. Mondfleur once said, “Cell Phone are the latest invention in rudeness.” In fact, 68 percent of Americans say they observe poor cell phone etiquette—such as with overly loud conversations—at least once every day, according to a national poll from market research group Synvoate.

Could you unknowingly be one of these offenders?

Here are some basic cell phone etiquette rules to keep in mind when interacting with colleagues and customers.

1. Remember who you’re working with. How would you feel if you were having and important conversation with a sales associate, and she broke off the discussion every time her mobile phone buzzed? Your customers are your boss. They want your attention, and you’re compensated for the time you spend with them. Block out all other issues while you’re working with them and make sure you give them your full, undivided attention during the appointment.

2. Bluetooth headsets are not meant to be permanent. It’s good to used hands-free devices such as Bluetooth headsets, especially when driving or multitasking—but they don’t have to be affixed to your head 24/7. If you’re showing a property, attending a meeting, or simply having lunch with a client, get rid of the headset. Bluetooth is fine when you’re alone in your office or driving in you car, but try to avoid keeping in your ear all hours of the day.

3. Talk at a normal tone. Seventy-two percent of people in the above-mentioned Synovate survey said the most annoying cell-phone violation is people who talk to loud. Most cell phones can pick up very quiet noises. Not to mention, most people around you don’t want to hear your entire conversation. Some experts suggest a 1—foot zone, meaning you should try to be at least 10 feet away from other people when talking on your cell phone. While this rule may be difficult in some situations, try to practice speaking at a soft and normal tone.

4. Don’t forget vibrate or silent modes. Next to the “loud talker,” the most annoying cell phone habit is a loud, annoying ring, especially when it blares during a meeting or other relatively quiet function. Make it a habit to check you cell phone regularly when entering a meeting or important gathering to make sure your cell phone is either turned off or switched to the vibrate position.

5. Avoid goofy ringtones. Hearing your favorite song every time your phone rings may seem cute to you, but it could be construed as offensive, obnoxious, or simply unprofessional to others. Stick to generic-sounding ringtones when programming your phone.

6. Don’t text and drive. Chances are that you’ve passed someone on the highway that is driving and trying to text. Don’t be that person! (Don’t be near that person, either!) This is dangerous and should be avoided at all times. Plenty of major road accidents involve texting. If you must text in your automobile, do so while your car is parked.

7. Don’t reply to a missed call with a text. In general, if you miss a phone call from someone, avoid responding with a text like, “What did your need?” This rule can be broken in certain situations, however. For example you might be in a movie where you need to reply with a text indicating you will call back as soon as possible, but do so sparingly.

8. Avoid talking on your cell phone in certain places. Most people will agree that certain places are off limits to talking on your phone—for example, at the movies, in elevators, while standing in line at the bank, and during a meal at a restaurant. If you have to think twice about whether you should use your cell phone, you probable are not in a good place to be talking on it—so put it way.

9. Don’t multitask unless you need to. We’ve all done it, but it’s bad phone etiquette, and the person you’re talking to can tell when you’re distracted. Sometimes its inevitable. But when possible, stop your other tasks, focus, and give the call your full concentration.

10. Let callers know when you’re using your cell phone. In many circumstances, it’s good to remind or inform the other party that you’re using your cell phone in case distractions or a disconnection arises. Plus, some information may be confidential, and your client or customer might not want to share sensitive information if she knows you are communicating through a mobile device. When applicable, take the time to let your callers know you are speaking on your cell phone, and if they have any important or confidential information they wish to share, you will call them back from a land line or meet them in person.

In any case, the next time you reach for your smart phone, be sure to remember some of these simple phone etiquette strategies—your customers, and those around you, will be glad you did.

John D. Mayfield is a sales coach, author and broker/owner of Mayfield Real Estate in Farmington Mo. You can contact Mayfield at www.5-minutes.com/abut_John.htm. Reprinted from Realtor Magazine online May 2009 with permission for the National Association of Realtors. Copyright2009. All rights

Did you know that drinking two glasses of Gatorade can relieve headache pain almost immediately-without the unpleasant side effects caused by traditional pain relievers?

Before you head to the drugstore for a high-priced inhaler filled with mysterious chemicals, try chewing on a couple of curiously strong Altoids peppermints. They’ll clear up your stuffed nose. 

Honey remedy for skin blemishes… cover the blemish with a dab of honey and place a Band-Aid over it. Honey kills the bacteria, keeps the skin sterile, and speeds healing. Works overnight.  

Cure urinary tract infections with Alka-Seltzer. Just dissolve two tablets in a glass of water and drink it at the onset of the symptoms. Alka-Seltzer begins eliminating urinary tract infections almost instantly-even though the product was never advertised for this use. 

Sore throat? Just mix 1/4 cup of vinegar with 1/4 cup of honey and take 1 tablespoon six times a day. The vinegar kills the bacteria.  

Achy muscles from a bout of the flu? Mix 1 tablespoon horseradish in 1 cup of olive oil. Let the mixture sit for 30 minutes, then apply it as a massage oil for instant relief for aching muscles.  

Did you know that Colgate Toothpaste makes an excellent salve for burns?

Get rid of unsightly toenail fungus by soaking your toes in Listerine Mouthwash. The powerful antiseptic leaves your toenails looking healthy again.

Easy eyeglass protection… to prevent the screws in eyeglasses from loosening, apply a small drop of Maybelline Crystal Clear Nail Polish to the threads of the screws before tightening them.

Vinegar to heal bruises… soak a cotton ball in white vinegar and apply it to the bruise for 1 hour. The vinegar reduces the blueness and speeds up the healing process.

Hunt’s Tomato Paste boil cure… cover the boil with Hunt’s Tomato Paste as a compress. The acids from the tomatoes soothe the pain and bring the boil to a head.

Balm for broken blisters… to disinfect a broken blister, dab on a few drops of Listerine, a powerful antiseptic. 

Smart splinter remover: Just pour a drop of Elmer’s Glue-All over the splinter, let dry, and peel the dried glue off the skin. The splinter sticks to the dried glue.  

Quaker Oats for fast pain relief… it’s not for breakfast any more! Mix 2 cups of Quaker Oats and 1 cup of water in a bowl and warm in the microwave for 1 minute, cool slightly, and apply the mixture to your hands for soothing relief from arthritis pain. 

Cleaning liquid that doubles as bug killer… if menacing bees, wasps, hornets, or yellow jackets get in your home and you can’t find the insecticide, try a spray of Formula 409. Insects drop to the ground instantly

Minimalism advocate D.H. Mondfleur once said, “Cell Phone are the latest invention in rudeness.” In fact, 68 percent of Americans say they observe poor cell phone etiquette—such as with overly loud conversations—at least once every day, according to a national poll from market research group Synvoate.

Could you unknowingly be one of these offenders?

Here are some basic cell phone etiquette rules to keep in mind when interacting with colleagues and customers.

1.      Remember who you’re working with.  How would you feel if you were having and important conversation with a sales associate, and she broke off the discussion every time her mobile phone buzzed?  Your customers are your boss.  They want your attention, and you’re compensated for the time you spend with them.  Block out all other issues while you’re working with them and make sure you give them your full, undivided attention during the appointment.

2.      Bluetooth headsets are not meant to be permanent.  It’s good to used hands-free devices such as Bluetooth headsets, especially when driving or multitasking—but they don’t have to be affixed to your head 24/7.  If you’re showing a property, attending a meeting, or simply having lunch with a client, get  rid of the headset.  Bluetooth is fine when you’re alone in your office or driving in you car, but try to avoid keeping in your ear all hours of the day.

3.      Talk at a normal tone.  Seventy-two percent of people in the above-mentioned Synovate survey said the most annoying cell-phone violation is people who talk to loud.  Most cell phones can pick up very quiet noises.  Not to mention, most people around you don’t want to hear your entire conversation.  Some experts suggest a 1—foot zone, meaning you should try to be at least 10 feet away from other people when talking on your cell phone.  While this rule may be difficult in some situations, try to practice speaking at a soft and normal tone.

4.      Don’t forget vibrate or silent modes.  Next to the “loud talker,” the most annoying cell phone habit is a loud, annoying ring, especially when it blares during a meeting or other relatively quiet function.  Make it a habit to check you cell phone regularly when entering a meeting or important gathering to make sure your cell phone is either turned off or switched to the vibrate position.

5.      Avoid goofy ringtones.  Hearing your favorite song every time your phone rings may seem cute to you, but it could be construed as offensive, obnoxious, or simply unprofessional to others.  Stick to generic-sounding ringtones when programming your phone.

6.      Don’t text and drive.  Chances are that you’ve passed someone on the highway that is driving and trying to text.  Don’t be that person!  (Don’t be near that person, either!) This is dangerous and should be avoided at all times.  Plenty of major road accidents involve texting.  If you must text in your automobile, do so while your car is parked.

7.      Don’t reply to a missed call with a text.  In general, if you miss a phone call from someone, avoid responding with a text like, “What did your need?”  This rule can be broken in certain situations, however. For example you might be in a movie where you need to reply with a text indicating you will call back as soon as possible, but do so sparingly.

8.      Avoid talking on your cell phone in certain places.   Most people will agree that certain places are off limits to talking on your phone—for example, at the movies, in elevators, while standing in line at the bank, and during a meal at a restaurant.  If you have to think twice about whether you should use your cell phone, you probable are not in a good place to be talking on it—so put it way.

9.      Don’t multitask unless you need to.  We’ve all done it, but it’s bad phone etiquette, and the person you’re talking to can tell when you’re distracted.  Sometimes its inevitable.  But when possible, stop your other tasks, focus, and give the call your full concentration.

10.  Let callers know when you’re using your cell phone.  In many circumstances, it’s good to remind or inform the other party that you’re using your cell phone in case distractions or a disconnection arises.  Plus, some information may be confidential, and your client or customer might not want to share sensitive information if she knows you are communicating through a mobile device.  When applicable, take the time to let your callers know you are speaking on your cell phone, and if they have any important or confidential information they wish to share, you will call them back from a land line or meet them in person.

In any case, the next time you reach for your smart phone, be sure to remember some of these simple phone etiquette strategies—your customers, and those around you, will be glad you did.

John D. Mayfield is a sales coach, author and broker/owner of Mayfield Real Estate in Farmington Mo. You can contact Mayfield at www.5-minutes.com/abut_John.htm.  Reprinted from Realtor Magazine online May 2009 with permission for the National Association of Realtors.  Copyright2009.  All rights reserved.

Charming Campaigners  

Those born on this day make good use of the double dose of charm that is the joint gift of Venus and the element of air, not least in winning others over to their point of view. These same birth influences typically cause September 24 people to be logical and tolerent types, who are always upset by perceived instances of unfairness and who, thanks to their self-starting, cardinal quadruplicity and assertive, positive polarity, are prepared to campaign energetically in the cause of justice and to defend their friends.

 Magnetic, Influential, Self-starting

The Birthday Alamanac by Sophia Kendrick

Compelling communicators 

Your earthy element gives you a heft dose of realism, if you’re a September 21 baby, and Mercury provides a logical outlook, along  with enviable communication skills. But you also have a worry-inducing, negative polarity, and in your mutable nature, a birth influence that can induce frequent mood swings. On the outside, you usually seem calm and composed, and you are always articulate and convincing, but sometimes the impression you convey to others bears no resemblance to how you feel inside.

Talkative, Logical, Prone to mood swings

The Birthday Almanac by Sophia Kendrick

In Alice Gray’s collected Stories for the Heart, Morris Chalfant talks about a couple who was celebrating their golden wedding anniversary. The husband was asked what was the secret to his successful marraige, and he answered with a story.

He said his wife  Sarah was the only girl he’d ever dated. He grew up in an orphange and worked hard for everything he had. He never had time to date until Sarah swept him off his feet. Before he knew it, he’d asked Sarah to marry him. On their wedding day, after they’d said their vows, Sarah’s father took the new groom aside and handed him a gift. He said, “within this gift is all you really neeed to know to have a happy marraige.” The nervous young man fumbled with the paper and ribbon until he got the package unwrapped.

In the box lay a large gold watch. With great care he picked it up. Across the face of the watch was etched a prudent reminder that he’d see whenever he checked the time of day .. words that, if heeded held the secret to a successful marriage. They were, “Say something nice to Sarah”

I’ve heard it said that the current state of your business is merely a reflection of the current state of your relationships. Interestingly as it may seem, the quickest way to get a referral may be to show gratitude and appreciation for the people and blessings you already have in your life. may we all take this moment right now to tell the people closest to us how much we love and appreciate them.

By Joe Sumpf  – www.mybyreferralonly.com

Eternal Students 

Whatever their age, knowledge-hungry Mercury makes eternal students of September 19 people, whose prodigious appetite for learning is matched by the articulacy with which they communicate theirs interests to others. They have a contemplative, feminine polarity, but these are no impractical, academic types, because their earthy element provides a hands on approach, along with determination. Their adaptable nature gives them the versatility to make numerous career changes if need be.

Knowledgeable, Articulate, Adaptable

The Birthday Alamanc  by Sophia Kendrick